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Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016Fri, 09 Dec 2016 14:29:55 GMT2016-12-09T14:29:55Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Modi's speech to parliament and press conference with Cameron - Politics livehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live
<p>Rolling coverage of the visit of the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to London, including his speech to parliament and his press conference with David Cameron</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live#block-56448996e4b05f01ec0a2f53">Lunchtime summary</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live#block-56449abde4b05f01ec0a2f7e">Hundreds protest as Modi arrives at No 10</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live#block-5644c176e4b05f01ec0a3010">Afternoon summary</a></li></ul><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T17:36:13.604Z">5.36pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>I am pleased to welcome Prime Minister Modi here. He comes with an enormous mandate from the people of India who made him prime minister with a record and historic majority. As for what happened in the past there were legal proceedings, there were also representations from the British government at the time. </p><p>We are now discussing the future partnership between Britain and India. Both of us are backed by our countries for this parliament to work together and strengthen the partnership that we have.</p><p>To rout the disbelievers completely, however, democracy has to demonstrate that it can respect free speech and incorporate a true diversity of creeds, faiths and orientations without diminishing or disrespecting any of them.</p><p>India is a land of Gandhi and therefore there is something that is deeply entrenched in our culture, our traditions, which is that we are not accepting anything that is having to do with intolerance. Any incident that happens is a serious incident and we do not tolerate these incidents at all.</p><p>Much of India that we dream of still lies ahead of us: housing, power, water and sanitation for all; bank accounts and insurance for every citizen; connected and prosperous villages; and, smart and sustainable cities. These are goals with a definite date, not just a mirage of hope. </p><p>And, inspired by Gandhi, the change has begun with us - the way the government works. There is transparency and accountability in governance. There is boldness and speed in decisions.<br></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor, meets his Economic Advisory Committee for the first time. <a href="https://t.co/Q8mxRlOkdx">pic.twitter.com/Q8mxRlOkdx</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T17:02:06.805Z">5.02pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is a quote from Modi’s speech on Gandhi.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Worth noting! <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> responds to question on Bapu's statue outside the UK Parliament <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmWithModi?src=hash">#IAmWithModi</a> <a href="https://t.co/3zTtHcA6Xv">pic.twitter.com/3zTtHcA6Xv</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:54:13.534Z">4.54pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Full-text-of-PM-Modis-address-to-British-parliament/articleshow/49760503.cms">Here is the full text of Narendra Modi’s speech to MPs and peers.</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:30:20.601Z">4.30pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Before Narendra Modi gave his speech to parliament, he and David Cameron visited the statute of Gandhi in Parliament Square.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:25:17.177Z">4.25pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, was not in the royal gallery for the speech, but he will meet Modi later this week, Labour sources say.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source close to Jeremy Corbyn says he had 'other commitments' today, so didn't attend Narendra Modi address to Parliament. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/washinghishair?src=hash">#washinghishair</a>?</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jeremy Corbyn will however be meeting Modi privately on Sat. New politics indeed, unafraid to take foreign leader to task over their record</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Corbyn attending an event in Brum, will meet Modi on Saturday, raise rights issues. Not snub, but did sign this EDM: <a href="https://t.co/5QSKJl1X9S">https://t.co/5QSKJl1X9S</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two years ago <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn">@jeremycorbyn</a> signed EDM saying Modi (pre-PM) should be banned from the palace of Westminister <a href="https://t.co/LtelWtwqwx">https://t.co/LtelWtwqwx</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:22:00.005Z">4.22pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi has finished and <strong>Lady D’Souza</strong>, the Lord Speaker, is now giving what is effectively the vote of thanks.</p><p>She says she visited India earlier this year, and was very impressed by the scope of social enterprises she saw.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:19:46.387Z">4.19pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says this is a huge moment in the relationship between our two countries. But we must remain sensitive to each other’s interests.</p><p>He says on Saturday he will be visiting <a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/narendra-modi-uk-visit-indian-prime-minister-inaugurate-ambedkar-house-while-london-1525972">the house of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, one of the founding fathers of modern India.</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:16:51.872Z">4.16pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Back in the Lords, Modi is saying that he is pleased the UK and India are cooperating on clean energy.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:15:02.817Z">4.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Number 10 has just announced that 2017 will be a UK/India year of culture. Here is the statement from<strong> David Cameron</strong> that has just been sent out to journalists.</p><p>The great partnership between India and the UK extends beyond economic ties to the boards of The Bard and the beaches of Bollywood. We have some of the best cultural exports in the world – and it’s about time we celebrated this, together.</p><p>To mark the start of this cultural pairing, the British Library will be digitising 200,000 pages of their South Asian archives. <em>Two Centuries of Indian Print</em>will be part of a major programme to make the wealth of Indian printed books held by the British Library dating from 1714 to 1914 accessible to anyone around the globe. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:10:07.353Z">4.10pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says there will be more investment and trade. Doors will be opened in the service sector. And the UK and India will work together on renewable and nuclear energy.</p><p>Together they will realise the opportunities of the digital world.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:09:17.415Z">4.09pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says the progress of India is the destiny of one sixth of humanity.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:08:55.601Z">4.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>With apologies to TS Eliot, Modi says, India will not let the shadow fall between the idea and the reality.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:07:25.411Z">4.07pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our momentum comes not just from growth we pursue, but from the transformation that we seek in the quality of life/ for every citizen: PM</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:06:45.121Z">4.06pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says India has 800m people under the age of 35. The energy and enterprise of the youth makes the country vibrant, he says.</p><p>Bold measures are in place to reform the country, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:04:08.125Z">4.04pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Narendra Modi receives standing ovation as he arrives at the House of Commons, London <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/m2UmwuOBMe">pic.twitter.com/m2UmwuOBMe</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:03:05.521Z">4.03pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says it takes an Indian icon, Tata, to run a British icon (Jaguar Land Rover) and become the largest British employer.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:01:16.396Z">4.01pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says the UK is the third largest investor in India, behind Singapore and Mauritius.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:00:41.226Z">4.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>There are 1.5m people in Britain, proud of their heritage in India but proud of their home in Britain, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T16:00:15.593Z">4.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says both countries have been touched by the life of Gandhi.</p><p>He stands here today, not as a head of government speaking in this “temple of democracy”, but as head of an institution.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:59:05.213Z">3.59pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says much of the modern history is linked to this building.</p><p>Others have spoken on the desks of history.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:56:26.969Z">3.56pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi is speaking now.</p><p>(He is speaking in English. At his press conference earlier he was speaking in Hindi.)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:54:30.436Z">3.54pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Bercow says Modi has given much thought to how India prepares for future.</p><p>He is known as Mr Tech in India.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:52:14.792Z">3.52pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Bercow says Modi is the 15th prime minister, but the first to address parliament .</p><p>It is fitting this is taking place during Diwali, he says.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:50:08.872Z">3.50pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Narendra Modi</strong> has arrived. He is seated alongside John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, and Lady D’Souza, the Lord Speaker (Bercow’s opposite number in the Lords.)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:48:21.681Z">3.48pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>I’m in the royal gallery in the House of Lords where Modi will soon be addressing MPs and peers.</p><p>He is not addressing a formal sitting of parliament. The royal gallery is a large hall in parliament a few dozen metres away from the Lords chamber.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:44:13.590Z">3.44pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is the start of the Press Association story about the press conference.</p><p>Britain has agreed a five-year partnership with India to help develop the cities of Amravati, Indore and Pune, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.</p><p>The deal was one of a raft of agreements sealed during the visit to London of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, which Cameron said provided “a real opportunity to open a new chapter in the relationship between our two countries” and develop “a more ambitious modern partnership” on an economic, defence and global level. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:33:39.799Z">3.33pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is more from what Modi said at the press conference when asked about India’s “growing intolerance”.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">India is the land of Gandhi &amp; Buddha, says PM Modi when asked on "growing intolerance in India" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/wBb3Eogq3k">pic.twitter.com/wBb3Eogq3k</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Every incident taking place in any corner of nation is a serious incident, law takes its course,strict action is taken: PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are committed to protecting every citizen's freedom: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> on being asked about 'intolerance' in India <a href="https://t.co/eUznpIhWci">pic.twitter.com/eUznpIhWci</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:13:37.172Z">3.13pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi has been asked about “growing intolerance” in India.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">India's Constitution protects freedom &amp; thoughts of every individual: PM when asked on "growing intolerance in India" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:08:30.879Z">3.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is more from what Modi has been saying at the press conference.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We will launch a fast track mechanism for UK investments in India; UK is already a leading investor: PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Both our nations will work for the people and to create more opportunities for them, also to overcome challenges against us: PM Modi</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our bilateral cooperation in clean energy will supplement India’s comprehensive &amp; ambitious national plan on climate change: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:05:22.039Z">3.05pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The BBC has <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-34797029">a live feed of the press conference on its website,</a> but it has just stopped working.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:04:08.337Z">3.04pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi says he is glad the UK will participate in the international fleet review in India next year.</p><p>He says he is confident this partnership will grow.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today we have signed a civil nuclear deal. This is a sign of our trust in each other: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/vVzCLihP0q">pic.twitter.com/vVzCLihP0q</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:01:04.164Z">3.01pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi is still speaking.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our relationship is getting bigger constantly in area of trade, investment, defence, clean energy, health, tech, innovation, culture: PM</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UK firmly supports India's UNSC claim: UK PM David Cameron</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T15:00:18.955Z">3.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Narendra Modi</strong> is speaking now.</p><p>He says Cameron has shown great hope and positivity for the UK’s relationship with India.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am thankful to UK PM for his contribution to development of UK-India ties: PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/2NRld4TTbp">pic.twitter.com/2NRld4TTbp</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T14:56:39.481Z">2.56pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>David Cameron</strong> and<strong> Narendra Modi </strong>are holding their press conference now.</p><p>Cameron says that Britain and India have a key economic partnership.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cameron and Modi in the grand surrounds of the Foreign Office Locarno Room <a href="https://t.co/iKfi137x1D">pic.twitter.com/iKfi137x1D</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T14:52:46.469Z">2.52pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Narendra Modi has also been tweeting about his visit to London from his government Twitter account.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The UK visit begins with a meeting with the Sikh community in London. <a href="https://t.co/bz4BNWx6tp">pic.twitter.com/bz4BNWx6tp</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> at the ceremonial welcome, with PM <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Cameron">@David_Cameron</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/Number10gov">@Number10gov</a> <a href="https://t.co/DjqgVmECpN">pic.twitter.com/DjqgVmECpN</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Discussing bilateral ties and development...delegation level talks begin with with PM <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Cameron">@David_Cameron</a>. <a href="https://t.co/lTH1MhYwfa">pic.twitter.com/lTH1MhYwfa</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T14:00:12.123Z">2.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Narendra Modi was greeted by noisy protests outside Downing Street as he arrived for talks with David Cameron.</p><p>Several hundred protesters representing Gujarati, Sikh, Tamil, Kashmiri, Nepali and women’s groups chanted ‘Modi Go Home’ and ‘David Cameron shame shame’ as the Indian prime minister was welcomed around lunchtime on Thursday.</p><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Modi is Hitler <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LondonRejectsModism?src=hash">#LondonRejectsModism</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiNotWelcome?src=hash">#ModiNotWelcome</a> <a href="https://t.co/8pgOIarYQA">pic.twitter.com/8pgOIarYQA</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And they saying modi is another Hitler ...covering this protest live follow for more updates <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiNotWelcome?src=hash">#ModiNotWelcome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MODI?src=hash">#MODI</a> <a href="https://t.co/oKTGP1mv0G">pic.twitter.com/oKTGP1mv0G</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T13:57:14.523Z">1.57pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>David Cameron is meeting Narendra Modi in the cabinet room.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM welcomes Modi at Cabinet table and says he wants to deepen relations with India <a href="https://t.co/AgwvS2MGDG">pic.twitter.com/AgwvS2MGDG</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T13:31:10.096Z">1.31pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Before he went into Number 10 Narendra Modi inspected a guard of honour.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T13:28:40.301Z">1.28pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Modi &amp; UK PM David Cameron to hold delegation level talks at 10 Downing Street, London <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/CrMzvv7ezQ">pic.twitter.com/CrMzvv7ezQ</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">British Prime Minister David Cameron arrives at Kings Charles Street to welcome PM Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/hu2ppFK8Jk">pic.twitter.com/hu2ppFK8Jk</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aerial view of Guard of Honour for PM Modi at Treasury Quadrangle, Kings Charles Street. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/IuhkabGGgw">pic.twitter.com/IuhkabGGgw</a></p><p>Malcontents. Destabilising elements. They are the right of the party. Jeremy Corbyn and the socialist campaign group used to be called rebels – so why not call them rebels?</p><p>If they are the 4.5% [a reference to how many people supported Liz Kendall in the leadership election] then they are the extremists within the party. I take affront to the idea that people whose sole preoccupation is destabilising the elected leadership of the Labour party are ‘moderates’.</p><p>In <em>Politics</em> Nick Clegg examines the fluid and unpredictable state of politics, which has seen old certainties disappear, outsider figures become mainstream, and nationalism, populism and identity politics rise up at home and abroad. More so than any other political figure, Nick Clegg has seen the volatile state of modern politics up close and personally, from his spectacular rise to national prominence at the 2010 General Election to his tumultuous experience in Government and defeat in 2015. In <em>Politics</em> he will draw on stories and lessons from his time as Deputy Prime Minister during the coalition government of 2010 – 2015, and offer a glimpse behind the curtains at how power in Britain really works.</p><p> Nick Clegg described the book as a reflection on ‘how the politics of reason, evidence and compromise can survive at a time when grievance and unreasoned populism are on the march at home and abroad’ as well as ‘an examination of the state of British politics, told through candid stories and observations from my time at the top and the bottom of the political ladder’.</p><p>In a survey of 1034 adults over 16 in Scotland, 58% of those expressing a preference said they intended to vote SNP in the constituency section of the May 2016 elections to the Scottish parliament, up two percentage points on the previous month. Labour gained three points to stand at 24%, with the Conservatives on 12% (unchanged) and the Liberal Democrats on 4% (-2). </p><p>In the regional vote, 52% backed the SNP (unchanged) with 25% for Labour (+2), 11% for the Conservatives (unchanged), 5% for the Liberal Democrats (-1) and 5% for the Greens (unchanged). </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New Scotland Poll details: SNP 58%, Labour 24%, Tory 12%, LibDem 4% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sp16?src=hash">#sp16</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/TNS_UK">@TNS_UK</a> <a href="https://t.co/COCPZZFFnL">pic.twitter.com/COCPZZFFnL</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SNP and Sturgeon dominant as Labour leadership struggles to make impact <a href="https://t.co/5IRwJJMFvp">https://t.co/5IRwJJMFvp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/poll?src=hash">#poll</a> <a href="https://t.co/ErPaouEvII">pic.twitter.com/ErPaouEvII</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T13:01:29.697Z">1.01pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>This is what the Press Association has filed about the protests.</p><p>A crowd of around a hundred protesters had gathered outside Downing Street ahead of Modi’s arrival, chanting noisily and holding placards. Messages on the banners included “Modi not welcome”, “Stop religious persecution”, and “Remove illegal blockade in Nepal”. A police cordon and vans were in position to prevent them disrupting access to the street. Roads around Westminster were closed off and helicopters were circling overhead.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T12:42:26.489Z">12.42pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>My colleague <strong>Esther Addley</strong> is covering the protests against Modi.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Small but noisy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/modi?src=hash">#modi</a> protest continuing at no 10. Tamil, Gujarati, Nepali and women's groups among those present <a href="https://t.co/Lb6amD442W">pic.twitter.com/Lb6amD442W</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shouts of 'Narendra Modi Go Back!' And 'Who's the Hitler? Modi!' <a href="https://t.co/TJd2jnze2B">pic.twitter.com/TJd2jnze2B</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/modi?src=hash">#modi</a> protest <a href="https://t.co/AVPfa2S6Ck">pic.twitter.com/AVPfa2S6Ck</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T12:37:26.910Z">12.37pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>In its news release Number 10 says Narendra Modi’s visit will coincide with the announcement of plans for the UK to become a centre for Indian bonds. (See <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live#block-56446bf5e4b04096fed8b65b">10.41am.)</a></p><p>We’ve now had an announcement to the effect: the British firm <strong>S</strong>un Global Investments and the Indian firm Zyfin Funds have announced plans to launch the world’s first Indian fixed income exchange-traded fund (ETF) on the London stock exchange. It is an investment in a basket of bonds in Indian state-owned companies, but it can be traded like a stock.</p><p>The launch of the Fund will for the first time allow foreign investors the opportunity to invest in these difficult-to-access but well researched AAA rated Indian companies [like Indian Railways]. The UCITS-compliant ETF provides exposure to corporate bonds which have an average duration of over 10 years and although partly state owned, yield higher than an Indian Sovereign Bond at around 7%.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T12:06:57.257Z">12.06pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here are more pictures of the protests.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anti-Modi protesters in London as well as supporters <a href="https://t.co/A4A44gLxGk">pic.twitter.com/A4A44gLxGk</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Outside no 10, several 00 anti-Modi protesters shouting at smaller group of Modi supporters. <a href="https://t.co/MH4iW2KGzi">pic.twitter.com/MH4iW2KGzi</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T12:04:19.688Z">12.04pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is some footage of the protests against Narendra Modi taking place in Whitehall.</p><p>The tweets are from Murtaza Ali Shah, a correspondent from Geo TV, a Pakistani broadcaster.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A handful pro Modi protestors are faced off by mass protest, the protest will start in two hours <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiNotWelcome?src=hash">#ModiNotWelcome</a> <a href="https://t.co/MAeOgvbWtS">pic.twitter.com/MAeOgvbWtS</a></p><p lang="lv" dir="ltr">Nepalese against Modi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiNotWelcome?src=hash">#ModiNotWelcome</a> <a href="https://t.co/2OcH5yQgz3">pic.twitter.com/2OcH5yQgz3</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dalit campaigners accuse Modi of committing genocide of Dalits n others <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiNotWelcome?src=hash">#ModiNotWelcome</a> <a href="https://t.co/uZdauJ9Lcp">pic.twitter.com/uZdauJ9Lcp</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dalits and Nepalese chant <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiNotWelcome?src=hash">#ModiNotWelcome</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/modigoback?src=hash">#modigoback</a> <a href="https://t.co/vXnWCYG4yj">pic.twitter.com/vXnWCYG4yj</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:40:01.757Z">11.40am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Earlier this week<strong> Greenpeace</strong> UK issued a briefing ahead of Narendra Modi’s visit. It was prompted to do so because the Indian government has just decided to strip Greenpeace India of its legal registration, a move the charity says could stop it operating in the country. In a statement Vinuta Gopal, Greenpeace India’s executive director, said:</p><p>The ramping up of attacks against Greenpeace India and the climate of intolerance they are fomenting are becoming a major international embarrassment for the Indian government. Modi has just embarked on a worldwide charm offensive to establish India as a global investment hub and a serious global player on issues like energy and climate change. His home minister’s crackdown on free speech back home will only tarnish India’s image and put off the investors Modi is trying to lure.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:30:11.561Z">11.30am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Modi has arrived at the St James’ Court hotel, according to ANI News.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Modi arrives at St. James' Court, meets supporters gathered outside <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/W4fxQXzXUK">pic.twitter.com/W4fxQXzXUK</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Modi arrives at St. James' Court in London, meets supporters gathered outside <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/yvnlxokMBI">pic.twitter.com/yvnlxokMBI</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Narendra Modi arrives at St. James Court, greets supporters <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/bKLk57yppr">pic.twitter.com/bKLk57yppr</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:28:13.857Z">11.28am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Narendra Modi is staying at the St James’ Court hotel.</p><p>Here are some pictures from earlier.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">St. James' Court, the hotel where PM Narendra Modi will stay during his visit to London <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/OMIHxE9Psg">pic.twitter.com/OMIHxE9Psg</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Security at St. James' Court, the hotel where PM Narendra Modi will stay during his visit to London <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/X51qVOceZp">pic.twitter.com/X51qVOceZp</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:25:14.921Z">11.25am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is the scene at Parliament Square, where the flags are out for the Indian prime minister.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Parliament Square ready for the visit of <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> the leader of the world's largest democracy <a href="https://t.co/0fbVxrTHMH">pic.twitter.com/0fbVxrTHMH</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Roads closed around parliament square ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> visit to <a href="https://twitter.com/UKParliament">@UKParliament</a> today <a href="https://t.co/dlIfatSbAi">pic.twitter.com/dlIfatSbAi</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:19:35.209Z">11.19am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The CBI is very keen on Narendra Modi’s visit. <a href="http://news.cbi.org.uk/news/cbi-praises-uk-india-business-ties-as-narendra-modi-visits/">In a press notice, </a>it says the UK is responsible for around one in 20 private jobs in India. This is from <strong>Simon Moore</strong>, the CBI’s international director.</p><p>The Indian prime minister’s business-friendly approach has won many plaudits among industry leaders here, and we look forward to building on our already solid historic trade links to create prosperity in both countries.</p><p>Indian investment in the UK is strategically important for our manufacturing, services and IT sectors. Building further trade links with key markets is mission critical to boosting growth, creating jobs and enhancing productivity across the UK.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:09:58.521Z">11.09am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Incidentally, I see Narendra Modi has almost 16m followers on Twitter.</p><p>David Cameron has around 4m.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T11:01:56.133Z">11.01am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>David Cameron</strong> has tweeted a video message welcome to <strong>Narendra Modi.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the UK <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> from Britain's Indian community <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/5hrlplmx4Q">https://t.co/5hrlplmx4Q</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/Number10gov">@Number10gov</a>. We are very proud of the Indian diaspora in UK. Their role in strengthening India-UK ties is immense.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T10:50:23.721Z">10.50am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The Treasury minister Priti Patel (see<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live#block-56446771e4b05f01ec0a2ed2"> 10.22am)</a> and the Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire met Narendra Modi when he arrived at Heathrow.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T10:47:58.841Z">10.47am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Narendra Modi</strong> has also issued <a href="https://www.hcilondon.in/event.php?id=240">a lengthy (but rather dry) statement about what he wants to achieve from his visit to the UK. </a>Here’s an excerpt.</p><p>UK is one of the fastest growing G7 economies and is home to a strong financial services sector. It is known for its innovative zeal and for its creative industries. You would be interested to know that UK has the largest diplomatic presence in India and is the 3rd largest source of foreign investment in our country. India too is the 3rd largest source of FDI [foreign direct investment] (in terms of the number of projects) in UK. I see immense scope for our economic and trade relations to improve and this will benefit both our economies.</p><p>Another area of importance for bilateral cooperation is defence. We have traditionally been cooperating extensively on defence and security issues and this visit will build on strong ties. Defence manufacturing will be a prime focus in my talks. There will be deliberations on clean energy and I will seek to achieve progress in our endeavour to make clean energy more affordable and accessible for the 1.25 billion people of India, as also to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of science, technology and education. UK remains a preferred choice for Indian students.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T10:41:40.923Z">10.41am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>In a press notice <strong>Number 10</strong> has released <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-india-to-build-modern-partnership-based-on-shared-challenges">some details of what it hopes to achieve from Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK.</a> Here is an excerpt.</p><p>With billions of pounds of commercial deals expected to be signed in the coming days, announcements will focus on building a relationship of shared prosperity including:</p><p>- Plans for the UK to become a centre of offshore Rupee bonds – with Indian companies expected to announce the intention to issue debt denominated in their own currency in London<br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T10:24:42.448Z">10.24am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is Narendra Modi’s plane at Heathrow.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Narendra Modi lands at London’s Heathrow Airport on a three day bilateral visit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/FyOq7qdg9a">pic.twitter.com/FyOq7qdg9a</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM Narendra Modi lands at London’s Heathrow Airport on a three day bilateral visit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/uE6dxl60EI">pic.twitter.com/uE6dxl60EI</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T10:22:59.732Z">10.22am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><strong>Priti Patel</strong>, the UK Treasury minister, has been talking about Narendra Modi’s visit on Sky. She played down concerns about human rights and Modi’s role in the Gujarat massacre. She said:</p><p>The riots had happened in Gujrat - which is my home state, and there are over 700,000 Gujratis in the United Kingdom - back in 2002. There were court hearings and that all went through the legal process in India and obviously the British government made representations on behalf of those that were affected as well. But things have moved on and prime minister Modi is now the prime minister, the elected prime minister of India. He has the mandate - one of the biggest mandates in the world, basically, when he won the election last year - and I think it’s quite right that we welcome the Indian prime minister in the way that the government is doing so for this visit. And also he is going to receive a tremendous welcome from the Indian diaspora community, particularly when he goes to Wembley stadium tomorrow evening.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T10:07:01.232Z">10.07am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Narendra Modi has landed in the UK.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FLASH: PM Narendra Modi lands at London’s Heathrow Airport on a three day bilateral visit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiInUK?src=hash">#ModiInUK</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T09:58:06.369Z">9.58am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>On the Today programme this morning <strong>Lord Bilimoria</strong>, the Indian entrepreneur, crossbench peer and chairman of Cobra Beer, said that what happened in Gujarat in 2002 should not stop Narendra Modi getting a warm reception in London today.</p><p>[Modi] won a huge majority last year against all expectations ... He is constantly accused of various things right up to the elections last year. People can make those charges but his opposition were running the country for 10 years and he was not convicted, arrested for anything. We have to deal with him as a legitimately democratically elected prime minister of India.</p><p>Our immigration rules unfortunately, thanks to our home secretary, have sent out a very, very negative perception - particularly to India. We need to change that, we need to take out foreign students, for example, out of our immigration figures. We need to be able to send that message on this visit now - we want Indian students to come to our universities. We welcome them. In fact, we want to set a target to increase the number of international students, particularly from India.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-11-12T09:32:58.148Z">9.32am <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Westminster is rolling out the red carpet today for Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister. David Cameron is used to hosting controversial figures, and Modi is no exception. Leader of the Hindu nationalist BJP, Modi was chief minister of Gujarat in 2002 when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Gujarat_riots">a sectarian massacre left hundreds of Muslims dead. </a>Modi was accused of condoning the killings and this led to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/22/uk-ends-boycott-narendra-modi">Britain, the US and some other EU countries imposing a travel ban on him.</a> But last year he became prime minister <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/16/narendra-modi-victory-congress-india-election">after the BJP won the Indian elections in a landslide</a> and, not for the first time, geopolitics and the national interest have trumped historic wrongdoing. Modi is now being feted around the world as a dynamic leader and today the government that once branded him as an undesirable will offer him an enthusiastic welcome. Tomorrow it will get even better; he is addressing a rally of 60,000 people at Wembley stadium where he is expected to be accorded the full rockstar treatment, complete with a lavish firework display.</p><p>In a statement issued ahead of the visit, <strong>David Cameron </strong>said:</p><p>This isn’t just a historic visit; it’s a historic opportunity. It’s an opportunity for two countries, tied by history, people and values, to work together to overcome the biggest challenges of our age. Prime Minister Modi and I intend to grab that opportunity with both hands. Because in doing so, we can make two of the greatest countries in the world even greater.</p><p>A former tea seller who rose through the ranks of a Hindu nationalist and revivalist movement, the Indian prime minister is very different from the many Oxbridge-educated, or Temple-trained, or at least anglophone leaders who have previously made their way to No 10. British literature, language, values and lifestyle do not resonate with Modi in the way they did with previous generations of Indian politicians and the elite from which they were drawn.</p><p>This is true more broadly. Britain is not “just another country” for India and, given the past, never will be so but the new emerging India is less in thrall to its erstwhile colonial overlords or their legacy than ever before. The gulf between how Modi’s visit will be viewed in India and how it is seen by British officials and media will only underline that shift.</p><p>The visit of the Indian prime minister, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/10/britain-shunned-narendra-modi-india-hindu-extremist-lynch-mobs">Narendra Modi, to the UK</a> is the most important moment for the British-Indian relationship in generations.</p><p>This is not only due to issues of trade, student numbers or high diplomacy – although these are unquestionably important – but because his arrival today comes at a time when the British Indian diaspora has truly come of age. British Indians have reached the very top of public life, be it in business, academia, healthcare or politics. It is a group that has made, and continues to make, an immeasurable contribution to this country. This visit – Modi’s first to the UK, and the first by an Indian prime minister for many years – will be a defining moment for the community.</p><p>Modi was always an odd choice to lead India into the 21st century. Meeting him early in his career, the distinguished social psychologist Ashis Nandy assessed Modi as a “classic, clinical case” of the “authoritarian personality”, with its “mix of puritanical rigidity, narrowing of emotional life” and “fantasies of violence”. Such a figure could describe refugee camps with tens of thousands of Muslim survivors of the 2002 pogrom as “child-breeding centres”. Asked repeatedly about his culpability in the [Gujarat] killings, Modi insisted that his only mistake was bad media management. Pressed repeatedly over a decade about such extraordinary lack of remorse, he finally said that he regretted the killings as he would a “puppy being run over by a car”.</p><p>More importantly, Modi was a symptom, easily identified through his many European and Asian predecessors, of capitalism’s periodic and inevitable dysfunction: he was plainly the opportune manipulator of mass disaffection with uneven and unstable growth, who distracts a fearful and atomised citizenry with the demonisation of minorities, scapegoating of ostensibly liberal, cosmopolitan and “rootless” people, and promises of “development”, while facilitating crony capitalism. To aspiring but thwarted young Indians Modi presented himself as a social revolutionary, the son of a humble tea-seller challenging entrenched dynasties, as well as an economic moderniser. He promised to overturn an old social and political order that they saw, correctly, as dominated by a venal and unresponsive ruling class. His self-packaging as a pious and virtuous man of the people seemed especially persuasive as corruption scandals tainted the media as well as politicians and businessmen in the years leading up to 2014.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-live">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsUK newsIndiaNarendra ModiDavid CameronForeign policyWorld newsSouth and Central AsiaAsia PacificThu, 12 Nov 2015 17:39:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2015/nov/12/narendra-modi-speech-indian-pm-cameron-press-conference-with-cameron-politics-livePhotograph: ReutersPhotograph: ReutersAndrew Sparrow2015-11-12T17:39:32ZHow I too failed the KGB spy test a year after David Cameronhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/sep/13/davidcameron-dmitry-medvedev
Prime minister's joke about his encounter with Soviet authorities revived memories of similar encounter in 1986<p>There is the odd advantage to being (roughly) the same age as the prime minister to compensate for yet another unmistakeable sign of ageing.</p><p>This is that occasionally the prime minister mentions something from the past that has a familiar ring. So when David Cameron said in Russia on Monday that the Soviet authorities had sized him up during a visit to the USSR in 1985 I had a flashback to my own experience in Moscow the following year.</p><p>It's great to be back in Moscow. I first came to Russia as a student in the year between school and university and I took the Trans-Siberian Railway from Nakhodka to Moscow. I went on to the Black Sea coast and when I was there two Russians, who spoke perfect English, turned up on a beach that was reserved for foreigners. They took me out to lunch; they took me out to dinner. They asked me intriguing questions about life in England, about what I thought about politics.</p><p>And when I got to university I told my tutor about this and he asked me whether I thought it was an interview. Well, if it was, it seems I didn't get the job. My fortunes have improved a bit since then and so have those of Russia.</p><p><br>I'm pretty sure that David would have been a very good KGB agent. But in this case he would never had become prime minister of the UK.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/sep/13/davidcameron-dmitry-medvedev">Continue reading...</a>David CameronDmitry MedvedevVladimir PutinRussiaMikhail GorbachevPoliticsWorld newsMargaret ThatcherSouth and Central AsiaTue, 13 Sep 2011 21:45:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/sep/13/davidcameron-dmitry-medvedevPhotograph: Kerim Okten/EPAAs a patriot David Cameron would not have lasted long as a KGB spy. Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPAPhotograph: Kerim Okten/EPAAs a patriot David Cameron would not have lasted long as a KGB spy. Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPANicholas Watt2011-09-13T21:45:00ZIt's not just the British press, police and politicians that are in crisis | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/blog/2011/jul/19/not-just-british-press-police-politicians-in-crisis
Spare a thought for Britain's armed forces, who are risking life and limb in support of state policy, while those of us at home hyperventilate over a squalid political row<p>In a rolling crisis like the current one, do you ever wonder what the squaddies make of it under the baking summer heat of Afghanistan? There they are, risking life and limb in support of state policy, while those of us at home hyperventilate over a squalid political row which cuts a swath through the standing of public institutions.</p><p>Ah, I hear you murmur, but not the army? Actually yes, them too. While most weekend attention was focused on the Murdochs, the police and the politicians – "Britain's power elite" as <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/18/phone-hacking-british-power-elite" title="">John Harris calls it in today's G2</a> – the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/17/mps-report-condemns-helmand-failures" title="">Commons defence select committee</a> issued a powerful condemnation of the way the mission to Helmand was handled from day one.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/blog/2011/jul/19/not-just-british-press-police-politicians-in-crisis">Continue reading...</a>MilitaryUK newsDefence policyPoliticsAfghanistanWorld newsLiam FoxForeign policySouth and Central AsiaTue, 19 Jul 2011 08:15:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/blog/2011/jul/19/not-just-british-press-police-politicians-in-crisisPhotograph: Ho New / Reuters/REUTERSA British soldier from the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment Afghanistan. Photograph: ReutersPhotograph: Ho New / Reuters/REUTERSA British soldier from the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment Afghanistan. Photograph: ReutersMichael White2011-07-19T08:15:52ZSenior military figures tell Liam Fox: 'rescrub' your defence reviewhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/jun/13/afghanistan-defence
Decorated former army major says top brass believe defence review should be reconsidered in light of the Arab Spring<p>Dan Jarvis, a former major in the Parachute Regiment who was elected as the Labour MP for Barnsley Central at a byelection in March, has been trying hard to focus on bread and butter issues in his constituency.</p><p>As chair of the Labour backbench business committee and as a member of the House of Commons business select committee, he is pushing the economic regeneration of South Yorkshire.</p><p>All the senior military people I have spoken to, both in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall and the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood and in the Army's Headquarters Land Forces at Andover – every one of the people I have spoken to all believe that the SDSR should be rescrubbed. Every single one of them. But every single one of them said it is not going to happen. They acknowledge that there is absolutely no political appetite to do that.</p><p>I am not advocating that the whole thing should be ripped up and started again. But it needs to be looked at. It is irresponsible that that hasn't been done for political reasons.</p><p>I have become increasingly frustrated with the decisions and actions of the ministerial team at the Ministry of Defence. It is now absolutely clear to me that the world is a different place from October 2010 when the strategic defence and security review was delivered. I have tried to make the point to the secretary of state that the assumptions and the analysis which underpinned that review have been overtaken by events. I have tried to make those points in a constructive and non-political way. Although I am new to politics I believe it wouldn't be a sign of weakness for the government to say the world is a different place, we couldn't have predicted the Arab Spring. The assumptions that were made made have been overtaken by events.</p><p>What I do not get now is the absolute refusal by the secretary of state to look at this work again in light of the changing international situation. I think that represents an arrogance. People within the MoD deserve better. On a daily basis I still speak to senior and junior people across the fence. Lots of my mates are still in the army. I believe our armed forces deserve better leadership than they are getting. There is a cult of arrogance and macho way of doing business among the ministerial team.</p><p>What we used to do back in the good old days was quite a few soldiers would go through jungle warfare training and they would be taught about ground sign – how to track men and animals in the jungle or wherever you are going to operate. It was that skill which we had kind of lost. We were relying on technology, on surveillance assets in the air. When you are out on the ground as an infantryman the time it takes to get that information down to you can be life saving time. So it was just going back and running a programme that started getting people to think about looking at ground sign – looking at branches that have been snapped, twigs that have been moved, stones that have been overturned because they are a different colour underneath than they are on the top, depressions in the ground. That is what the Afghans rely on. Dan brought back in a skill that nobody had really thought about and made it part of the pre-deployment training.</p><p>Whilst serving as a staff officer with Headquarters Land Forces, Major Jarvis pioneered an innovative low technical solution that has helped protect soldiers from the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). He saw the value of taking aspects of jungle tracking training and using them to help soldiers detect IEDs in Afghanistan through Ground Sign Awareness. He developed a comprehensive Ground Sign Awareness training programme that is now delivered to all units deploying. Soldiers returning from operations have confirmed that this training has been highly effective in detecting IEDs and has undoubtedly helped to save lives in Afghanistan. </p><p>The Army has recognised that this training will be central to future conflicts and has decided that introductory training will be received by all soldiers as they go through their Initial Training on joining the Army. Major Jarvis' work is an excellent [example] of how the Army adapts its training in light of the ever changing threats that our soldiers face on operations in Afghanistan.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/jun/13/afghanistan-defence">Continue reading...</a>AfghanistanDefence policyLiam FoxLabourUK newsPoliticsSouth and Central AsiaDan JarvisMon, 13 Jun 2011 19:33:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/jun/13/afghanistan-defencePhotograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PADan Jarvis, a former Major who was awarded an MBE for his work in detecting IEDs in Afghanistan in the Birthday Honours, says senior military figures are calling for a rethink of the defence review. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PAPhotograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PADan Jarvis, a former Major who was awarded an MBE for his work in detecting IEDs in Afghanistan in the Birthday Honours, says senior military figures are calling for a rethink of the defence review. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PANicholas Watt2011-06-13T19:33:00ZNow we know why David Cameron felt free to criticise Pakistan over terrorismhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/may/02/davidcameron-barack-obama
Prime minister issued warning last July shortly after US briefing on how country was providing haven for al-Qaida<p>It is not every day that a prime minister stands up and accuses an ally of promoting terrorism. But that is exactly what David Cameron did on the first day of his visit to India last July when he said that Pakistan could not be allowed to "look both ways" on terrorism.</p><p>I was sitting in the audience in a large hall at the Infosys IT company campus in Bangalore on 28 July last year when <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/28/pakistan-promote-terror-david-cameron">the prime minister said in public </a>what British officials have been saying in private for years.</p><p>We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world.</p><p>That is why this relationship is important. It should be a relationship based on a very clear message: that it is not right to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror. Democratic states that want to be part of the developed world cannot do that. The message to Pakistan from the US and the UK is very clear on that point.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/may/02/davidcameron-barack-obama">Continue reading...</a>David CameronBarack ObamaOsama bin LadenPakistanAfghanistanWorld newsIndiaSeptember 11 2001UK newsWilliam HagueThe Guantánamo filesKhalid Sheikh MohammedAsif Ali ZardariHamid KarzaiPoliticsSouth and Central AsiaMon, 02 May 2011 20:09:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/may/02/davidcameron-barack-obamaPhotograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/APDavid Cameron criticised Pakistan last July for looking 'both ways' on terrorism. Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/APPhotograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/APDavid Cameron criticised Pakistan last July for looking 'both ways' on terrorism. Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/APNicholas Watt2011-05-02T20:09:00ZBangladesh torture investigation: questions need to be answered | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/jan/18/bangladesh-torture-investigation-questions
The Guardian's investigation into the Task Force for Interrogation operation in Bangladesh and its links with MI5 and MI6 raises important questions<p>Have you read today's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/17/uk-link-bangladesh-torture-centre" title="">Guardian account of exchanges of information between British security services and their Bangladeshi counterparts</a> which points to the likelihood that torture was used against terrorist suspects interrogated on behalf of the UK?</p><p>If not, you should, though it is not a cheery read on Blue Tuesday. Pulleys, blocks of wood, voltometers and pliers (for the finger nails) are not instruments which should be used on the human body in the 21st century. Have we learned so little?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/jan/18/bangladesh-torture-investigation-questions">Continue reading...</a>TortureLawWorld newsUK security and counter-terrorismUK newsCounter-terrorism policyPoliticsBangladeshHuman rightsSouth and Central AsiaTue, 18 Jan 2011 12:06:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2011/jan/18/bangladesh-torture-investigation-questionsPhotograph: Shahidul Alam/GuardianThe headquarters of the Rapid Action Battalion headquarters in Uttara. Photograph: Shahidul Alam for the GuardianPhotograph: Shahidul Alam/GuardianThe headquarters of the Rapid Action Battalion headquarters in Uttara. Photograph: Shahidul Alam for the GuardianMichael White2011-01-18T12:06:41ZAung San Suu Kyi's next move is fraught with difficulty | Michael Whitehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2010/nov/15/aung-san-suu-kyi-michael-white
Those who resist tyranny and survive prison accrue immense moral authority – but it requires good judgment and low political cunning to use it successfully<p>It's always a good feeling when we turn on the TV news and see prisoners freed after being unjustly held. That's why <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidelio" title="Beethoven's Fidelio">Beethoven's Fidelio</a> always cheers us up and why this weekend has been a cheering double helping. Even <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/14/aung-san-suu-kyi-release" title="Gordon Brown has been uplifted">Gordon Brown has been uplifted</a>.</p><p>In very different circumstances Rachel and Paul Chandler, unlucky British adventurers captured by Somali pirates, were finally released, while the house arrest imposed on Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese opposition leader, was also lifted.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2010/nov/15/aung-san-suu-kyi-michael-white">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsUK newsAung San Suu KyiWorld newsSouth and Central AsiaMyanmarMon, 15 Nov 2010 12:52:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2010/nov/15/aung-san-suu-kyi-michael-whitePhotograph: Soe Than Win/AFP/GettyAung San Suu Kyi at the gate of her house after her release on Saturday. Photograph: Soe Than Win/AFP/GettyPhotograph: Soe Than Win/AFP/GettyAung San Suu Kyi at the gate of her house after her release on Saturday. Photograph: Soe Than Win/AFP/GettyMichael White2010-11-15T12:52:02ZPolice take softly, softly approach to London Sri Lanka demonstrationshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/apr/21/michael-white-tamil-protest
There is a generally benign feeling towards protesters calling for an end to the Sri Lankan government's assault on Tamil Tiger separatists<p>It's a fortnight since I turned up for work at the Commons and found a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/apr/07/tamil-protest-westminster-bridge" title="">noisy demonstration blocking Westminster Bridge</a>, complete with flags and drums, plus policemen.</p><p>I asked who it was. The Tamils, someone explained.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/apr/21/michael-white-tamil-protest">Continue reading...</a>Sri LankaPoliticsUK newsDavid MilibandForeign policySouth and Central AsiaTue, 21 Apr 2009 11:16:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/apr/21/michael-white-tamil-protestMichael White2009-04-21T11:16:23ZHow do all-party parliamentary groups really work?https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/feb/16/al-party-parliamentary-groups-toby-helm
All is not as it seems with the cross-party teams that fly to exotic and not-so-exotic far-off lands on fact-finding missions at the public's expense<p>It is intriguing how these all-party parliamentary groups of MPs work – the cross-party teams that fly to exotic and not-so-exotic far-off lands on fact-finding missions/jollies at the public's expense.</p><p>While investigating <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/13/sri-lanka-london-diplomatic-relations" title="">the row over Des Browne, the former defence secretary, being rejected by the Sri Lankans as Gordon Brown's envoy</a>, the Observer found it necessary to seek out MPs who knew about the country and had a view on the latest bloody troubles there.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/feb/16/al-party-parliamentary-groups-toby-helm">Continue reading...</a>House of CommonsPoliticsUK newsForeign policySri LankaWorld newsSouth and Central AsiaMon, 16 Feb 2009 09:06:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/feb/16/al-party-parliamentary-groups-toby-helmToby Helm2009-02-16T09:06:39ZSchool maths: The Borat factorhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/dec/10/education
We are told that English schoolchildren are doing almost as well in maths as those from Kazakhstan, but I am always sceptical about international tables of this kind.<p>Did you notice that Kazakhstan popped up in the newspapers twice today by way of a ranking in international league tables? It allowed creative subeditors to dig out a photo of Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat, the well-known Kazakh.</p><p>According to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/dec/10/education-international-league-table-schools ">the Guardian's Borat-free account of maths and science skills</a>, evaluated in the latest <a href="http://nces.ed.gov/timss/">TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study</a>) report, English 11- and 14-year-olds have risen sharply in the global hierarchy. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/dec/10/education">Continue reading...</a>Education policyEducationPoliticsSchoolsMathematicsWorld newsKazakhstanSouth and Central AsiaWed, 10 Dec 2008 11:26:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/dec/10/educationMichael White2008-12-10T11:26:24ZTime is running out in Burmahttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/may/09/timeisrunningoutinburma
This challenge requires a major international political movement equivalent to the enormous charitable movement that emerged after the tsunami<p>The extent of the devastation in Burma is only just coming to light several days after <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/cyclonenargis">Cyclone Nargis</a> hit the country. It's becoming clear that the scale of the disaster is as widespread and catastrophic as the recent south Asian tsunami.</p><p>Then, the world mobilised an unprecedented aid effort, led by presidents and prime ministers and donations from millions of people, following wall-to-wall coverage of the disaster. Thanks to the immense efforts of aid agencies, world leaders, the media and the public, support quickly reached the vast areas left devastated with no water, food or shelter. Had this not happened the death toll would have undoubtedly been significantly higher. We would not have been forgiven.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/may/09/timeisrunningoutinburma">Continue reading...</a>Foreign policyUK newsPoliticsWorld newsNatural disasters and extreme weatherSouth and Central AsiaMyanmarFri, 09 May 2008 11:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2008/may/09/timeisrunningoutinburmaLucy Powell2008-05-09T11:01:00Z